Auction Item Details
Lot 181
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Lot Number: 181
Description: Superb Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat autographed by Ruth and Lou Gehrig c.1934-35 (PSA -GU 10+). Many fine objects of rarity often lack accompanying provenance or history. It is not to say that this scenario in any way deems an item to be not worthy of appreciation. However, when a significant item is uncovered with an overwhelming amount of history and identifying characteristics the degree of separation between it and inferior examples is clear. As such, we offer a Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measuring 35" long and weighing 36.9oz. Exceptional usage wear is evident throughout including ball and rack marks. Grain swelling to the upper hitting surface, appropriate for a left handed batter, and scoring of the handle, done to aid in grip, are trademark characteristics and ideal traits in a Ruth game bat. Louisville Slugger centerbrand and facsimile signature stampings remain pronounced and intact. On the back side of the barrel reside the signatures of the most famed pair of professional baseball players in American history. Both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig have signed the bat in black fountain pen rating 8/9 out of 10. It is the only Babe Ruth game used bat documented to have been autographed by both Ruth and Gehrig. Unlike most game used bats with no source or provenance the offered exemplar lays claim to an unparalleled chain of ownership having originated from the collection of George D. Donnelly. Donnelly was a Minor League player, Sunset League scorekeeper, and Newport Daily News columnist. He amassed an impressive and now well known collection of baseball related artifacts that were first offered by Hunt Auctions in 2005. The bat boasts: 1) Direct provenance 2) Scored handle characteristic of other documented Ruth game used bats 3) Consistent specifications with respect to Hillerich & Bradsby Co. factory records for Ruth 4) Appropriate usage traits including left handed batting indications 5) Period signatures of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig placing the bat into Ruth's hands. It is for these reasons, and others as indicated throughout the lot description, that the offered Babe Ruth bat must be considered to be among the very finest in private hands. Includes LOA from PSA/DNA ("GU 10") and LOA from Hunt Auctions (serving to confirm the history as part of the Donnelly Collection): Sigs. NM, Bat EXEstimated Price Range: ($300,000-$500,000)
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